knife case

knife case

      leather or wooden container for cutlery, placed in pairs on a sideboard or buffet in the dining room. The knife case first appeared in the 17th century and was originally covered with leather and elaborate gilt. Typically, it was a box with a serpentine front and sloping lid, the interior fitted with compartments for the knives. In the late 18th century knife cases were also made in the shape of urns and were veneered in wood (first walnut and later mahogany) and sometimes decorated with silver mountings. They also had come to be used as containers for all kinds of cutlery.

      By the end of the 18th century, when they were being made in mahogany, with fine ivory inlays and other forms of marquetry, their production had become highly specialized, and occasionally they were incorporated into the main structure of a sideboard. In the 20th century it became fashionable to convert the serpentine-front type of knife cases into cabinets for holding stationery.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • knife case — see knife box …   Useful english dictionary

  • Case knife — 1. A knife carried in a sheath or case. Addison. [1913 Webster] 2. A large table knife; so called from being formerly kept in a case. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • knife box — also knife case : a receptacle for knives and other table cutlery: as a. : an often ornate wooden container with sloping top used especially during the 18th century in pairs for the storage of knives and spoons b. : an open usually handled tray… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Knife legislation — is legislation regarding knives. Having the potential to be used as offensive weapons, carrying knives in public is forbidden by law in many countries. Exceptions may be made for hunting knives, and for knives used for work related purposes (e.g …   Wikipedia

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  • case-knife — caseˈ knife noun A large knife kept in a sheath • • • Main Entry: ↑case …   Useful english dictionary

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